Sri Lanka SLMC to meet two main contenders in presidential elections

The Sri Lanka Muslim Congress ( SLMC) said they were planning to meet two main contenders in the forthcoming Presidential Polls next week to tender their set of conditions to offer support, the Daily News reported Thursday.

"We discussed our concerns at the politburo meeting chaired by SLMC Leader Rauf Hakeem last Friday and decided we should consult the area leaders before the final draft is prepared," SLMC General Secretary Hassan Ali was quoted as saying.

"Our area leaders in the north and east are expected to report back on Friday where we plan to have another Politburo meeting to review the feedback," he said.

Meanwhile, the Ceylon Workers Congress said they would announce their stance on the election after the nominations are called by the Elections Commissioner.

Sri Lanka's Supreme Court announced here on Aug. 26 that the country's next presidential election must be held within 2005.

Sri Lankan President Chandrika Kumaratunga who is in her second term cannot contest again and she has already named her prime minister Mahinda Rajapakse as her candidate.

The main opposition United National Party leader Ranil Wickremesinghe declared his candidature as early as January this year.

Source: Xinhua